secession

[ si-sesh-uhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of seceding.
2. (often initial capital letter) U.S. History. the withdrawal from the Union of 11 Southern states in the period 1860–61, which brought on the Civil War.
3. (usually initial capital letter) Fine Arts. a style of art in Germany and Austria concurrent with and related to Art Nouveau.

secession

/ sɪˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act of seceding
2. often capital the withdrawal in 1860–61 of 11 Southern states from the Union to form the Confederacy, precipitating the American Civil War

secession

1. The withdrawal from the United States of eleven southern states in 1860 and 1861. The seceding states formed a government, the Confederacy , in early 1861. Hostilities against the remaining United States, the Union , began in April 1861 ( see Fort Sumter ), and the Civil War followed.

Derived Forms

• seˈcessionist, nounadjective
• seˈcessional, adjective
• seˈcessionˌism, noun

Other Words From

• se·cession·al adjective
• nonse·cession noun
• nonse·cession·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of secession¹

1525–35; < Latin sēcessiōn- (stem of sēcessiō ) withdrawal, equivalent to sēcess ( us ) (past participle of sēcēdere to secede; cession ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of secession¹

C17: from Latin sēcessiō a withdrawing, from sēcēdere to secede

Example Sentences

Klimt’s art-historical importance as the leader of the turn-of-the-century Vienna Secession movement, and the decorative sumptuousness of his paintings, have always made him a highly valued artist.

From New York Times

Lady with a Fan is among the very few portraits by Klimt, a leading figure of the Vienna Secession art movement, to be owned privately.

From BBC

Her 2021-22 show at Vienna’s Secession exhibition space made a particular impression on him.

From New York Times

Secession: speech or actions advocating Hong Kong’s independence from China.

From New York Times

Secession is not the ultimate goal of the initiative, Burum said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• breakaway
• breakup
• separation